Help with S&W Revolver ID

[Lumber_Jack]

So my dad was gifted an older S&W .38 special revolver from his brother-in-law after my dads sister passed away. It has 5702 1 J under the cylinder arm and 5702 on the arm again. I will post pics later and look under the grips for a full serial number. It has a 4" barrel I believe. It shoots great!

Just curious of manufacture date and model.

[Garufa]

Definitely need pics and serial #, at least the first few digits.  Those numbers on the yoke and frame there don't mean anything except the yoke is original to the gun.  Serial number is on the butt.

Sounds like it's older than '57 or '58, the year S&W started using model numbers (and stamped that number on the frame were you see the 5702).  5702 is not a .38 special model number.

Edited August 12, 2016 by Garufa

[gregintenn]

Target sights? Grips? Pencil or bull barrel? 5 or 6 shot? Nickle or blue finish?

Most likely it's a Military and Police, later referred to as a model 10.

Although common, these guns show a level of craftsmanship unrivaled today.

[Lumber_Jack]

[Lumber_Jack]

If anyone can date it with the serial number if appreciate it. Otherwise I just wanted to brag and how much fun it was to shoot.

[Garufa]

.38 Military & Police.  Serial number puts it at between 1948-1951.  The range for those years was C1-C223998 so you can kinda guesstimate an exact year.

That sorta looks like a 5" barrel.

A fine looking revolver!

Edited August 12, 2016 by Garufa

[Patton]

Yeah, that is a 5" M&P.

[Garufa]

I have been looking for just such a specimen.  

[Lumber_Jack]

I have been looking for just such a specimen.  [emoji6]

I am really glad it's now in my family.

[Grand Torino]

Great lookin' old pistola. 

[TNWNGR]

On ‎8‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 2:29 PM, Garufa said:

.38 Military & Police.  Serial number puts it at between 1948-1951.  The range for those years was C1-C223998 so you can kinda guesstimate an exact year.

That sorta looks like a 5" barrel.

A fine looking revolver!

Yep, that's what I is, I passed up an opportunity to purchase a factory original nickeled version of he same time frame in 1992 that I sill regret not buying. But on the plus side I've got two 4" blued M&P's circa 1920's and 1930's so it ain't all bad. Nice looking M&P BTW.

[gregintenn]

Practice with it, and it will amaze you with it's accuracy.

[TripleGGG]

Very nice.  Love revolvers from that time. 

[gregintenn]

The preferred weapon of legendary gunfighter and lawman Barney Fife!

[Garufa]

32 minutes ago, gregintenn said:

The preferred weapon of legendary gunfighter and lawman Barney Fife!

Barney carried a Colt. 

[Lumber_Jack]

Practice with it, and it will amaze you with it's accuracy.

First shot at 25 yards was dead center bullseye. It's really amazing

[Garufa]

8 minutes ago, Lumber_Jack said:

 

First shot at 25 yards was dead center bullseye. It's really amazing

 

Just think...that was mass-produced 65 years ago.  We've come such a long way since then.  /sarcasm

[gregintenn]

14 hours ago, Garufa said:

Barney carried a Colt. 

Depends on the episode. I've seen both in his holster.

[Patton]

I am a huge Andy Griffith Show fan and I have never seen anything other than a Colt in Barney's holster, hand, or small of the back. 

[Pete123]

What was it that Andy did with ammo for Barney?  Was it that he could only have one round and he couldn't keep it in his gun, but had to keep it in his pocket?

[Raoul]

28 minutes ago, Pete123 said:

What was it that Andy did with ammo for Barney?  Was it that he could only have one round and he couldn't keep it in his gun, but had to keep it in his pocket?

10-4

Edited August 14, 2016 by Raoul

[gregintenn]

 

[gregintenn]

 

[Ropin4gold]

You can get a "factory letter" from S&W telling you about the history of that gun. It's pretty cool. Did one for a relative's gun that was another relative's Chicago PD duty gun.